Mr. B

Learning short vowel sounds is essential for children learning to read. Children hear and experience short vowel sounds more often than long vowel sounds.

We will introduce the short vowel sounds through words and pictures that begin with the sound for the initial exposure. The short vowels are:

Let's begin a short vowel investigation!!!!!

A cautionary note for using this book:

Teaching short vowel sounds is traditionally accomplished through a combination of words that begin with the short vowel sound and words where the vowel is in the middle (ConsonantVowelConsonant), such as CAT, JET, PIG, HOT, and TUB, for example. 

When combining short vowel sounds with other letters such as an "n" or "l," especially when the vowel begins the word, the short vowel sound may be overshadowed by the blended sound. (e.g., words such as "elbow" or "incline," where the "l" or "n" is more prominent). Therefore, when teaching the short vowel sound in such a combination, emphasize the vowel sound.

Short /ă/ Sound

On the next page are pictures of objects that begin with the short /ă/ sound. See how many you recognize. The list of items is at the bottom of this page.

 Adam, Andy, ankle,  Africa, Anna, apple, Amazon, accident, arrows, acrobats, anchor, ax, ants, attic, alpacas, alligator  

Adam

Andy

On the next page are pictures of objects that begin with the short /ĕ/ sound. See how many you recognize. The list of items is at the bottom of this page.

On the next page are pictures of objects that begin with the short /ĭ/ sound. See how many you recognize. The list of items is at the bottom of this page.

 itch, ill, Indiana, Italy, iguana, Illinois,  igloo, impala, inchworm, intersection,  ink cartridges, insects, investigate